Influencing factors on underweight and stunting among children aged 0 - 3 years in rural areas from ten provinces in China
Zhang, J.; Jiang, Q.-j.; Liu, N.; Xiong, C.; Yang, C.-y.; Zheng, X.-x.; Yang, S.-b.; Du, Y.-k.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 33(2): 131-134
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0254-6450 PMID: 22575128 Document Number: 657292
To analysis the influencing factors on underweight and stunting among children aged 0 - 3 years in rural areas from ten provinces in China. Children under study were identified by multi-stage stratified cluster from rural areas of ten provinces in China. The ascertainment methods mainly included questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. There were 58 926 children under investigation, with 50.91% were boys. The overall rates on underweight and stunting were 5.05% and 10.49% respectively. The rate in the 6 month-olds (1.97%, 3.79%) was the lowest, while the highest were in the 24 month-olds (7.80%) and the 36 month-olds (16.83%). Age, sex, birth weight, gestational weeks as well as maternal education and fathers' schooling were factors significantly related to childhood underweight and stunting (P < 0.0001). The status of underweight and stunting among children aged 0 - 3 years in rural areas was impressive, with birth weight was the key factor influencing the growth of children. Perinatal health care should be improved to promote the growth of children.